284 
spores and liave to be propagated by division of the crowns 
whilst many others are best propagated by division ot the 
creeping rhizomes. 
Propagation by division is the quickest and most 
general method and is particularly applicable amongst our 
native Ferns. Plants which form crowns generally possess 
two or three of these and by passing a knife between the 
crowns and pulling them apart two or more young plants, 
which only require to be potted separately to form in- 
dependent subjects, are produced. 
Ferns with c eeping rhizomes can lie propagated with- 
out any difficult by merely cutting these organs into pieces 
of suitable length and pegging them down on tree stems or 
in baskets. 
In the case of Ferns producing proliferous growths or 
“bulbils” on the fronds the mode of propagation is ob- 
vionslv bv collecting tbe bulbils and potting them up singly 
in small pots. Ferns fronds of this nature can generally 
be made to produce a numbers of bulbils by pegging them 
down Hat on sandy soil in a moist shady place. 
Culture:— The nature of a Fern generally suggests 
whether it should be grown in a pot, on a tree stem, or in a 
basket. . . 
Those kinds with creeping rlnzomes do best m baskets 
as a rule whilst those which form crowns and fibrous roots 
are most suitable for pot culture. One of the most effective 
wavs of growing many of our Ferns is on the stems ot 
trees, palms, etc. (see illustration on opposite page). 
Although it frequently happens that the conditions un- 
der which plants grow spontaneously cannot lie artificially 
produced the knowledge of the positions in which they grow 
naturall v materially aids in tlieir successful cultivation. It 
may be 'safely stated that the majority of Ferns require 
shade’ and moisture. Most gardens possess one or more 
snots of this nature, under trees generally, and in those 
situations Ferns luxuriate if reasonable care be taken m 
tlieir cultivation. 
Ferns grown in pots require fresh potting more or less 
frequently according to their rate of growth; but it is 
advisable to avoid over-potting. These plants generally 
grow best whose roots are in contact with the inside ot the 
pots. Care must be given to watering as Ferns resent 
over watering as quickly as any other plant if the soil is in 
any way water logged or sour, on tbe other band care must 
also be* taken that the roots do not become too dry. 
